Attitude towards Access and Utilization of Maternal Health Services by Women at Sabon-Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Maternal deaths are alarmingly high globally due to relatively non-availability and non-use of maternal

health services by a sizeable proportion of women in rural communities. Women in North-western Nigeria are presently

experiencing the worst survival due to key components of maternal health services not being provided at Primary Health

Centres (PHCs). The study, therefore, explores the attitude of women toward access and utilization of Maternal Health

Services (MHS) provided by PHCs at Sabon-Gari Local Government area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A total of 392 women of reproductive ages (15-49 years) were administered questionnaires, out of which 389

were retrieved but only 385 correctly filled and were analyzed quantitatively. Quantitative method of data analysis was

used to present the results.

Results: It was observed that the mean age of the respondents was 29-35 years. The mean score of mothers access to

maternal health services was 4.2 while the mean point for none acceptance for use of modern health services at PHCs

was 2.6.

Conclusion: Findings revealed that community encouraged women to access maternal health services available at primary

health centres though most community members still do not fully accept the use of modern health services at primary health

centres and this has posed a lot of problem to the health sector. Effective community enlightenment programmes should

be put in place in the rural areas by government and non-governmental organizations to improve access and utilization of maternal health services.

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